Introduction of Shān Dòu Gēn: Subprostrate Sophora Root
✵This article documents the herb Subprostrate Sophora Root—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources (two plant species), (1) Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep., and (2) Menispermum dauricum DC.—with detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of both species; the characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shān Dòu Gēn
English Name: Subprostrate Sophora Root
Latin Name:Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis Properties and Flavor: Cold, bitter, toxic
Brief Introduction:Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis is the dried root and rhizome of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep., used clinically for sore throat and gingivitis. It is commonly known as Vietnamese Sophora Root or Shān Dòu Gēn.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal classics define Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis as the dried root and rhizome of: (1) Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. (genus Sophora, family Fabaceae, order Fabales); and (2) Menispermum dauricum DC. (genus Menispermum, family Menispermaceae, order Ranunculales). These two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep.
Botanical Description:Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. is also known as Sophora subprostrata Chun et T. Chen, Róu Zhī Huái ("Soft-Branch Sophora"), or Guǎng Dòu Gēn ("Guangdong Sophora Root"). It is a low-growing shrub reaching 1–2 m in height. Roots are cylindrical and rarely branched; the root bark is tawny (yellowish brown). The stem is erect or decumbent, with few branches densely covered in pubescence. Leaves are imparipinnate and alternate; petioles are 5–17 cm long; leaflets (not "lobules") number 11–21, elliptic or oblong-ovate, 1–2.5 cm long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide; terminal leaflets are larger; the apex is acute or mucronate; the base is rounded; margins are entire; the upper surface is sparsely pubescent; the lower surface is densely covered with taupe-brown (grayish-brown) pubescence.
Racemes are terminal, 12–15 cm long, and densely pubescent; pedicels are ~1 cm long and covered with fine hairs; the calyx is broadly campanulate (bell-shaped), sparsely hairy externally, and 5-lobed at the apex; the corolla is yellowish white; vexilla are ovoid with a concave apex and short claws at the base; the alae are longer than the vexilla and bear triangular auricles at the base; there are 10 free stamens, with slightly broadened and oblate bases; the ovary is stipitate, cylindrical, and densely covered with long pilose hairs; the style is curved; the stigma is circular and densely pilose.
Pods (legumes) are 2–5 cm long, densely covered with long pilose hairs; seeds are bead-like, 3–5 per pod, black, glossy, and elliptic, with a small hilum. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting occurs from July to August.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in hilly and mountainous regions, in rock crevices, at elevations of 900–1,100 m above sea level.
Growth Characteristics:Sophora tonkinensis is not highly demanding regarding climate or soil, but thrives best in warm conditions and in loose, fertile soil.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is irregularly tuberous and extends transversely; the apex often bears a residual stem base or stem scar; several roots arise from its underside. Roots are long-cylindrical—sometimes branched and slightly curved—with variable lengths and diameters of 0.7–1.5 cm. The surface is brown to dark brown (nearly blackish brown), bearing irregular longitudinal wrinkles and prominent, elongated lenticels. The herb is firm and hard, difficult to fracture; the fracture surface is relatively flat; the cortex is pale yellowish brown; the xylem (wood) is primrose yellow (pale yellow). It has a faint beany odor and an intensely bitter taste.
Pharmacological actions: (1) Anticancer activity; (2) inhibition of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions; (3) significant enhancement of myocardial contractility and coronary blood flow; (4) elevation of peripheral leukocyte counts in rabbits; (5) anti-inflammatory effects.
Medicinal efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies; relieves sore throat; reduces swelling; promotes bowel movement. Indicated for fire-toxin accumulation, pharyngeal and tonsillar swelling, acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, gingivitis, lung-heat cough, damp-heat jaundice, carbuncles, and constipation.
Administration of Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis (Shān Dòu Gēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis (Shān Dòu Gēn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–6 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 3–5 qián (≈9–15 grams), or fresh juice extraction. External use: mouthwash or mashed herb applied topically.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Avoid use in cases of diarrhea due to deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach.
(2) Menispermum dauricum DC.
Botanical Description:Menispermum dauricum DC is commonly known as Biān Fú Gé ("Bat-shaped Vine"). It is a perennial twining herb that grows over 10 m long. The rhizome is thin and elongated, decumbent, yellowish-brown to dark brown (nearly black-brown), and branched. Branchlets are green, with fine longitudinal striations. Leaves are alternate; rounded reniform or ovate, with shallowly 3–7-lobed margins; lobes are subtriangular; leaf length and width range from 5–15 cm; apex is acute; base is cordate or truncate; upper surface is green; lower surface is pale whitish; with 5–7 palmate veins; petioles are peltate (shield-shaped) and inserted centrally, 6–15 cm long.
Short axillary panicles; peduncles are 3–7 cm long; flowers are small, yellowish-green, with bracteoles; unisexual and dioecious; male flowers have 6 or 8 obovate sepals; 6–9 petals, smaller than sepals; 10–20 stamens; female flowers have 3 free carpels.
Drupes are oblate-spherical, 8–10 mm in diameter, turning murrey (dark purple-black) when ripe; endocarp is firm and hard, reniform-oblate, with circinate (ring-like) protuberant sculptures. Flowering period: May–June; fruiting period: July–September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on forest margins along hillsides or mountain slopes, in shrublands, field margins, roadside verges, and gravelly lowlands—or climbs upon rocks.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a warm–cool environment and grows optimally at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F). Growth ceases below 5 °C (41 °F). Soil requirements are not strict, but deep soil layers—such as loam on slopes or well-drained sandy loam—are ideal.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is thin, cylindrical, slightly curved, and branched, measuring 30–50 cm in length and 3–8 mm in diameter. Surface color ranges from yellowish-brown to brown, with longitudinal wrinkles, sparse thin fibrous roots, or raised fibrous root scars; bark peels off readily. Texture is flexible and difficult to break; fracture surface is irregular and fibrous; xylem (wood portion) is primrose-yellow (pale yellow); pith present centrally. Odor is faint; taste is bitter.
Rhizoma Menispermi (Asiatic Moonseed Rhizome)
Brief Introduction:Rhizoma Menispermi is the dried rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC., used similarly to Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis.
✵Common herbal classics define Rhizoma Menispermi (Asiatic Moonseed Rhizome) as the dried rhizome of (1) Menispermum dauricum DC. (genus Menispermum, family Menispermaceae, order Ranunculales). It is commonly known as Běi Dòu Gēn. This commonly used species is described above under "Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis."
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References:
1.Introduction of Shan Dou Gen: Subprostrate Sophora Root
✵This article documents the herb Subprostrate Sophora Root—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources (two plant species), (1) Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep., and (2) Menispermum dauricum DC.—with detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of both species; the characteristics of the herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Shān Dòu Gēn
Botanical Description: Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. is also known as Sophora subprostrata Chun et T. Chen, Róu Zhī Huái ("Soft-Branch Sophora"), or Guǎng Dòu Gēn ("Guangdong Sophora Root"). It is a low-growing shrub reaching 1–2 m in height. Roots are cylindrical and rarely branched; the root bark is tawny (yellowish brown). The stem is erect or decumbent, with few branches densely covered in pubescence. Leaves are imparipinnate and alternate; petioles are 5–17 cm long; leaflets (not "lobules") number 11–21, elliptic or oblong-ovate, 1–2.5 cm long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide; terminal leaflets are larger; the apex is acute or mucronate; the base is rounded; margins are entire; the upper surface is sparsely pubescent; the lower surface is densely covered with taupe-brown (grayish-brown) pubescence.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in hilly and mountainous regions, in rock crevices, at elevations of 900–1,100 m above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The rhizome is irregularly tuberous and extends transversely; the apex often bears a residual stem base or stem scar; several roots arise from its underside. Roots are long-cylindrical—sometimes branched and slightly curved—with variable lengths and diameters of 0.7–1.5 cm. The surface is brown to dark brown (nearly blackish brown), bearing irregular longitudinal wrinkles and prominent, elongated lenticels. The herb is firm and hard, difficult to fracture; the fracture surface is relatively flat; the cortex is pale yellowish brown; the xylem (wood) is primrose yellow (pale yellow). It has a faint beany odor and an intensely bitter taste.
Botanical Description: Menispermum dauricum DC is commonly known as Biān Fú Gé ("Bat-shaped Vine"). It is a perennial twining herb that grows over 10 m long. The rhizome is thin and elongated, decumbent, yellowish-brown to dark brown (nearly black-brown), and branched. Branchlets are green, with fine longitudinal striations. Leaves are alternate; rounded reniform or ovate, with shallowly 3–7-lobed margins; lobes are subtriangular; leaf length and width range from 5–15 cm; apex is acute; base is cordate or truncate; upper surface is green; lower surface is pale whitish; with 5–7 palmate veins; petioles are peltate (shield-shaped) and inserted centrally, 6–15 cm long.
Short axillary panicles; peduncles are 3–7 cm long; flowers are small, yellowish-green, with bracteoles; unisexual and dioecious; male flowers have 6 or 8 obovate sepals; 6–9 petals, smaller than sepals; 10–20 stamens; female flowers have 3 free carpels.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on forest margins along hillsides or mountain slopes, in shrublands, field margins, roadside verges, and gravelly lowlands—or climbs upon rocks.
Brief Introduction: Rhizoma Menispermi is the dried rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC., used similarly to Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis.
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